Oil well drilling apparatus



,mwm

Sept. 3., 1935. D. R. SHERIDAN OIL WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2,Q1954 4 SheetsSheet l Sept. 3, 1935. D. R. SHERIDAN 2,013,070

OIL WE'LL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1954 4 Sheets- Sheet 2 I i I2:1 2. l 34 64'- l 3 e .100 3 29 1? .99 673 1 8 29 22 22 .3l f 28 "I f 1I 4: I

Sgpt. 3, 1935. D. R. SHERIDAN OIL WELL; DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2,1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept, s, was.

MLL!

D.R.SHEMDAN OIL WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed OGtQ 2, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 4' Q) Iyld WW /y: r

g Joa' M ,lzuuuhLligiggg 104 L 63 I [In mum:

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 PATENT OFFICE on. wELr. DRILLING APPARATUS DonaldR. Sheridan, Los Angeles, Calif. Application October 2, 1934, Serial No.746,525

8 Claims.

ratus and is an improvement over the so-called frotary well drillingsystem.

" In drilling a well with the rotary system it is not only necessary tostop drilling operations each time it becomes necessary to add anotherlength or stand of drill pipe to that in the hole but the parts formingthe apparatus are very heavy and expensive to operate especially so indrilling wells to great depth.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a well drillingapparatus wherein the drill bit is rotated by means arranged within acasing which is adapted to be lowered in well hole.

Another obiect is to provide a well drilling apparatus including a,rotary member and a bit secured thereto and fluid operated reciprocatingmeans associated therewith for imparting rotation to the bit. I

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the complete well drilling apparatus anda section taken through a well hole with the drilling mechanism disposedtherein.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the drill bit rotatingmechanism.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 parts beingbroken away and shown in section.

Fig. 4 is horizontal section taken on line L-ii of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is horizontal section taken on line t-5 of Fig. 2.,

Fig. 6 is a section taken through the piston reverse valve as indicatedby line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a section taken through the drum and hose for conveying thecirculating mud or water to the bit as indicated by line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on line 8-4 of Fig. -7.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 1 showing the weightregulating mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line lilili oi! Fig. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings it generally designates theactual drilling or bit rotating mechanism. Mechanism ill comprises ahollow cylindrical casing ii through which extends and is rotatablymounted a tubular member 12 to which is removably secured at its lowerend a drill bit It.

The drill bit is preferably of conical shape having a duct i5 thereincommunicating with the bore it in the member 52 and branch ducts i'lthrough which the circulating water or mud is discharged while drilling.It will be understood however that any of the usual types of bitsemployed in the rotary well drilling system may be employed in lieu ofthe bit shown if desired.

Arranged within the casing II is a pair of cylinders ill in which areoperatable pistons is having rods that extend through usual stuffingboxes 2| on the lower ends of said cylinders, the upper ends of thecylinders being closed by heads 22.

Secured to the lower ends of piston rods 20 are blocks 23 that carrypivotally mounted tongues 2| which slidably engage spiral cross grooves25 formed in the face of member l2, rotary movement being imparted tothe member i2 and bit it (through thetongues 24) during reciprocation ofthe pistons l9.

Cylinders l8 are preferably cast integral at their upper ends as shownin Figs. 2 and 4,- the portion 26 Joining the same having an annularrecess therein for the reception of packing 21 that is compressed by agland 28 formed on a fitting 29.

Fitting 29 is secured by screws or the like 30 to a cap 3i that isremovably connected to the upper end of the casing il, said fittinghaving a. bore 32 therein communicating with the bore of member i2.

Connected to the projecting portion 33 of fitting 29 is a flexibleconduct or hose 34 through which the circulating fluid is conveyed tothe drill bit.

Member 52' is journaled in anti-friction bearings 35 mounted in a recessformed in lower portion of the casing ll.

Casing ii is tapered at its lower end and terminates in a screw threadedportion upon which is threaded a fitting 36 having a gland 3? thereonthat enters and compresses packing 38 dis-' posed in a recess'formed insaid casing.

Packing 38 prevents mud or water in the well hole from entering thecasing while the packing it prevents water passing through member itfrom entering it.

Disposed in the casing is a four way valve it that serves to alternatelyadmit fluid under pressure to each end of the cylinders for. impartingreciprocatory movement to the pistons i9 therein.

Valve 40 consists of a housing M and a valve member 42 rotatably mountedtherein provided Slidably mounted in bearings 40 secured to one of thecylinder walls is a rod 00 having stops or abutments iI thereon that areengaged by an arm 52 rigidly connected to one of the blocks 23.

Projecting from rod 50 into a slot 53 in the valve operating arm 42 is apin 04 which serves to actuate the valve member 4I during movement oisaid rod.

One end of a retractile coil spring 55 is connected to arm 43 while itsopposite. end is connected to an eye bolt 56 threaded in the wall ofeasing II as shown in Fig. 4. Spring 55 is provided to impart a quickmovement to the valve member 52 as the pistons I0 approach the limit ofeach stroke or effect a reversal of the valve member when the inlet andoutlet ports in valve body are closed.

Projecting from the wall of easing II are radially disp osed studs 5:which carry a plurality oi shoes 59 that engage the walls oi the wellhole and serve to prevent rotation of the casing.

Secured to shoes 59 adjacent each end thereof are sleeves 00 thatslidably engage studs 58 and encircling the sleeves and studs areexpansion coil springs SI that urge said shoes into engagement with thewall of the well hole as shown in Fig. 1

Mounted on closure cap 3| is a guard member 62 preferably ofirusto-conical shape which is provided to prevent damage to the parts inthe event that portions or the formation should become dislodged anddrop down the well hole during drilling operations.

Secured to the closure cap ii is a pair of diametrical disposed eye'bolts 83 to which are connected cables 64.

Referring to Fig. l, the cables 44 extend upwardly through the well holeover sheaves 65 and are wound upon drums 65 that are removably securedto shafts 61 iournaled in bearings 08 mounted on the platform 69. 4

Cables 64 serve to suspend the drilling mechanism I0 so that its deadweight will not bear directly upon or be transmitted to the bit I4 alsoto remove said mechanism from the well hole after completing a drillingoperation.

Downward movement of the drilling mechanism is adapted to be controlledby any suitable means such as the fluid operated apparatus designated at10 in Fig. 9.

Apparatus l0 consists of a cylinder I! in which is operable a piston i2having a rod 10 that is inter-connected through a cross head 14 andconnecting rod I5 to the pi l5 oi cranks l1 secured to the inner ends ofth cable dmm shafts 61.

Communicating with interior of cylinder 1I adjacent each end thereof arepipes I8 that are connected to a valve it through which liquid in thecylinder flows back and forth during each stroke or the piston.

From the above it will be apparent that by manipulating valve I0 therate oi rotation of the cable drum. and downward movement of mechanismi0 may be regulated at will due to checking or retarding the flow ofliquid through the valve.

Conduct :4 extends upwardly through the well hole over a sheave 80 andis wound upon a drum BI, said drum 8| being removably and rotatablymounted on a spindle 82 which in turn is held against rotation in astandard 83 mounted on the platform 69.

The inner or dead end of conduct 34 is removably connected to a fitting84 (see Fig. 8) that enters a duct 85 formed in a drum ill. The duct 85communicates with an annular recess at which in turn communicates withducts 81 and 88 formed.

in spindle 82. Duct 88 communicates with a pipe '02 that is adapted'tobe connected to the discharge end of a circulating pump not shown.

Packing rings 80 disposed ingrooves forms" in bore of drum 8i serve toprevent escape of the circulating mud or water around the spindle during drilling operations.

iii

As cables serve to suspend the drilling mechanism 60 in the well holeall tensile strain on the spring 96 that serves to transmit pressure tothe friction disk 02. By adjusting ring 93 more or less tension may beapplied to the conduct for the purpose i'above referred to.

Referring to Fig. 3 the inlet and outlet pipes leading to reverse valve40 extend through packlng glands 08 threaded in the closure cap 3! andare connected through suitable couplings 99 to flexible conducts I00 andNH respectively.

Conducts I00 and MI extend through the well hole around sheaves I03 andare wound on a drum m, the dead ends of the cables being connected toflttingsinot shown) that communicate with ducts I05 and I06 formed inthe drum I04.

Duct I05 enters an annular recess I06 (formed in drum I04) which in turncommunicates with ports I01 formed in a spindle I08 upon which the drumis rotatably mounted. Communicating with ports I0! is a pipe I09 whichleads to a receiver IIO which in turn is adapted to be interconnectedwith an air compressor not shown.

Conduit I M in-a like manner communicates with ports III formed in thespindle through which the exhaust air from the cylinder i8 may escape toatmosphere.

Drum. I04 is mounted on the spindle I08 in the same manner as drum 8| inorder that tension may be applied to the conduits I00 and HM.

Secured to drums 66, BI and I04 are sheaves or pulleys 68a and 8Ia. andMa respectively which are adapted to receive endless belts or the likepassing over sheaves on shafts (not shown) whereby the drillingmechanism I0 may be removed from the well hole.

Operation:--Drilling mechanism I0 is lowered into a shallow hole,compressed air is then admitted to cylinders i8 through conduct I00 andwater to the bit I4 through conduct 34. Admission oi compressed air tothe cylinders through valve 40 imparts reciprocatory movement to pistonsI9 the action of which through engagement of tongues 24 with the grooves25 in member I2 will result in rotation of bit I4. During rotation ofbit I4 water passing through member I2 will flow through ducts I6 intothe well hole and induce an upward current therethrough which will carrythe cuttings of the bit to the surface in the form of mud in a similarmanner to the usual rotary well drilling system.

Drilling of the hole may be carried'on until cables 64 and conducts 34,I00, and liil have been unwound from their respective drums. Thereafterii it is necessary to drill to greater depth the drums above referred toare adapted to be removed from the spindles, the conducts disconnectedtherefrom and other drums wound with conducts thereon placed on thespindles and the conducts connected to those previously removed from thedrums. The above procedure may be repeated until the oil or waterbearing strata has been penetrated.

I claim:

1. A well drilling apparatus comprising 9. casing, a tubular memberhaving spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through saidcasing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member, cylinders mounted insaid casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rodsprojecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted onthe piston rods andslidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for impartingrotation thereto and valve operated means for alternately admittingfluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders for efiectingreciprocation of the pistons therein.

2. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular memberhaving spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through saidcasing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member, cylinders mounted insaid casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rodsprojecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods andslidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for impartingrotation thereto, valve operated means for alternately admitting fluidunder pressure to each end of said cylinders for effecting reciprocationof the pistons means including a plurality of shoes connected to saidcasing for centering and holding the same against rotation in a wellhole.

3. A well drilling apparatus comprising 9. casing, a tubular memberhaving spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through saidcasing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member, cylinders mounted insaid casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rodsprojecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods andslidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for impartingrotation thereto, a four way reverse valve including a housing anda-valve member rotatably mounted therein disposed in said casing, pipesleading from the valve housing to the opposite ends of said cylindersand meansoperable by the piston rods for actuating said valve memberwhereby to effect reciprocation of said pistons and impart rotation tosaid tubular member and drill bit.

4. A well drilling apparatus comprising a. casing/a tubular memberhaving spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through saidcasing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member cylinders mounted insaid casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rodsprojecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods andslidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for impartingrotation thereto, valve operated means for alternately admitting fluidunder pressure to each end of said cylinders for eifecting reciprocationof the pistons means including a plurality of shoes connected to saidcasing for centering and holding the same against rotation in a wellhole, and means for suspending and controlling the downward movement ofsaid casing in the well hole.

5. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular memberhaving spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through saidcasing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member cylinders mounted insaid casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rodsprojecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods andslidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for impartingrotation thereto, valve operated means for alternately admitting fluidunder pressure to each end of said cylinders, means including apluralityof shoes connected to said casing for centering and holding the sameagainst rotation in a well hole, means for suspending and controllingthe downward movement 01' said casing in the well hole, flexibleconduits for admitting and discharging fluid under pressure to saidvalve operated means and a flexible conduit for supplying water throughsaid tubular member and drill bit.

6. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular memberhaving spiral grooves therein rotatably mounted in said casing,cylinders mounted in said casing and having pistons therein, meansinterconnecting the pistons with the grooves in said tubular member, andvalve operated means for alternally admitting fluid under pressure toeach end of said cylinders for effecting rotation of said tubularmember.

7. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casi a tubular member havingspiral grooves therein rotatably mounted in said casing, cylindersmounted in said casing and having pistons therein, means interconnectingthe pistons with the grooves in said tubular member, valve operatedmeans for alternally admitting fluid under pressure to each end of saidcylinders for effecting rotation of said tubular member, and meanscarried by said casing for centering and holding said casing againstrotation in a well hole.

8. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular memberhaving spiral cross grooves formed in its outer face extending throughand rotatably mounted in said casing, a drill bit secured to and havingducts therein communicating with the bore of said tubular member, a pairof cylinders mounted in and held against movement in said casing,\pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projectingtherefrom, a tongue pivotally connected to the projecting end of eachpiston rod and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member, atour way reverse valve including a housing, a valve member rotatablymounted therein having ,a stem and an arm secured thereto, a slide rodinterconnected with the arm of said valve member and having abutmentsadjacent each end thereof, an arm secured to one of said piston rods andarranged to alternally engage the abutments on said slide rod to actuatethe valve member, wherebyto eifect reciprocation of the pistons andimpart rotation to said tubular member and drill bit.

DONALD R. SHERIDAN.

